Making the right choices

Chapter 1

Rachel's POV

"Hayley, please don't cry, baby. It's ok." I held my crying baby girl tight in my arms. She was almost 4, but I still saw her as my baby.

"Ouchy. Mommy, I gotta boo-boo." Hayley pouted. I kissed it to make her feel better.

"Better? Now, next time, don't run around the coffee table. You're always stubbing your toes." She looked up at my with her big, tear filled, blue eyes. Hayley's long straight blond hair hung in her face so I pushed it behind her ears.

Ever since my I left my ex boyfriend, Lucas, or Hayley's dad, things have been slightly rough. Hayley was always crying and whining. All she really wanted though was attention. I had my best friends Ariana and Courtney to help support me, too.

"It's gonna be ok, Rachel, we've got your back whenever you need me." They'd tell me. And I appreciated them so so so much.

Lucas would visit every now and then to see Hayley, but I don't know if she likes him that much. She would be friendly to him and that's about it. I never let him take her alone, though, I didn't trust him with my child. The good thing was that I had full custody of her so I didn't have to let her see him.

"I'm hungwy, mommy."

"I know baby, me too. Let's go fix up some dinner. How do chicken nuggets sound?"

"Mmmm. Sounds yummy!" Hayley rubbed her belly, and we laughed. Then I took her hand to led her to the kitchen.

Dinner was very good and Hayley and I talked a lot about her friend Maria.

"Mommy, we are best friends! She shares her toys with me." I listened to everything Hayley said. She was all I had left of family and I loved her.

Hayley wanted to watch Frozen after dinner, so I put the disk in and we cuddled on the couch. Every time a song came on, Hayley would softly mutter some of the words. Surprisingly, she stayed up for the whole movie.

"Baby, it's 9:00. I think you should be heading up to bed now."

"Aww." Hayley pouted. "Ok, fine." I picked her up and carried her to her bedroom upstairs. The walls were pink and the carpets purple. Stuffed animals covered her bed and toys littered the floor. "Goodnight, mommy. I love you."

"I love you too, honey. Sleep tight." I kissed her forehead and closed the door gently after turning off the lights.

I was more tired than usual tonight, so I climbed into bed myself. My phone lit up and I took it off the night stand to check it.

Ariana: you totally need to meet me and Courtney at the bar tonight

Me: what about Hayley? I can't leave her by herself

Ariana: shes sleeping for goodness sake. Now get out here and meet us at the bar

I could tell Ariana was drunk, but I went out with her anyway. I wouldn't be long and besides, Hayley is asleep. I changed into attractive clothes, slipped high heels on, grabbed my purse and phone, and went out to my car. I quietly backed out of the drive way and down the street.

I was at the bar in 10 minutes. I met Ariana and Courtney outside the doors.

"Rachhhh, you made it, babe." Ariana hung an arm around my shoulders.

"Sorry, Rachel. She's drunk again and insisted you came here tonight." It was almost 10:30 and I was starting to worry about Hayley.

"Yeah, I figured. But I guess it couldn't hurt for a night out with my gals." I smiled and we all headed inside. It was crazy. Drunk people were everywhere and it was really loud.
"I don't think I'm staying long." I told Courtney. "Hayley's still at home and I don't want to get drunk. In fact, maybe I should just leave now."

"You can't go!" Ariana made a pouty face. "It's no fun without you." I couldn't help but give in.

The next thing I knew, I was in some guys arms.

"Wow. You're sssoo beautifulll." He was clearly drunk too.

"Uh, whatever you're offering, I don't want it." I tried to push him away but his grip was firm.

"Look, there's this room in the way back and we could-"

"I said I'm not interested!" I yelled slightly loud. I tried pushing away again with more force and succeeded because I caught him off guard.

I walked over to Courtney to tell her I was leaving.

"Courtney? I'm gonna go now. It's getting crazy." She turned around and slung an arm around me.

"We don't want ya to go!" Oh, no. Now Courtney was drunk, too. I just brushed her arm away and left. I hopped in my car and drove home. I never should've left Hayley. It was so irresponsible of me. I set my phone back on my dresser and changed into comfy clothes. Just as I was about to fall asleep, I shot straight up in bed.

"Oh, no. Please no." I mumbled. "Someone took my purse."

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I hope you guys liked the first chapter. Not much but it will get better. Let me know what you thought! :)